Carry-on rules for flights eased - TSA now allowing small amounts of toiletries, cosmetics

You'll still have to toss bottled water and other drinks before going through airport security, but starting Tuesday, travelers will be allowed to pack travel-size toiletries and cosmetics with their carry-on items.

Each liquid, gel or aerosol product container must hold 3 ounces or less of fluid. And combined, the items must all fit into a 1-quart, clear plastic zip-top bag that will be screened separately.

In addition, the Transportation Security Administration said Monday that liquid items purchased from airport concessionaires past the security checkpoints now may be carried on board flights.

"These are sustainable, common-sense adjustments that, combined with additional security measures throughout the airport, will keep the traveling public safe," said Michael Jackson, deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Kip Hawley, assistant secretary for the TSA, said lessons learned from the suspected terror plot that was foiled in the United Kingdom last month gave officials "confidence that small, travel-size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers."

Items sold inside the secure portion of the terminal are already screened before they are delivered to the stores.

TSA will also be enhancing other security measures throughout the airport, such as performing additional random screenings of employees, increasing canine patrols, strengthening air cargo security measures and implementing more rigorous checks on identification.

Officials said it is unlikely that there will be more changes to the restrictions for liquids, gels and aerosols in the near future.

For executive platinum flier Robert Justice, the change means less time waiting for checked luggage and shuttle buses. Like many frequent fliers, Mr. Justice used to carry on all of his bags until more stringent security restrictions took effect last month.

He's already put zip-top bags in his suitcase for a business trip next week.

"It's an hour and a half of my life back every week, which is huge," he said.

Rhonda Shasteen, a senior vice president with Addison-based Mary Kay Inc., said she always kept her toiletries in her carry-on, just in case her checked luggage got lost.

When the new restrictions took effect in August, she put everything in her checked luggage in a gallon-size zip-top bag "and crossed my fingers they arrived on time."

"At least now I can carry a few basics," Ms. Shasteen said. "I'll just have to put them in a smaller plastic bag."

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport concessionaires John Brancato and Gina Puente-Brancato spent the last month and a half hoping the ban on liquids purchased in the terminal would eventually change.

The couple operate several newsstands, cafes and La Bodega Winery, and had worked to change their merchandise mix to meet the new rules.

The restrictions hit their airport winery -- where bottled wine accounts for 35 percent of sales -- the hardest. The winery offered incentives, such as discounted shipping on larger orders, but suffered a 25 percent decline in sales.

Paring back wine inventory wasn't an option. "We had to order all that wine a year ago," Mr. Brancato said.